Hike, birdwatch and get back to nature on our new Bruny Island walking tour
Bruny Island is a like a little retreat from the ‘mainland’ of Tasmania. It is undeveloped and quiet, with rolling hills, eucalyptus forests and deserted beaches. It’s a great place for a getaway, with beautiful scenery, delightful walking and amazing birdwatching opportunities.
Bruny Island sits off the coast of Tasmania, just an hour or so south of Hobart, and is accessed by ferry. It is made up of two land masses: North Bruny and South Bruny are almost two separate islands, but a remarkable narrow isthmus connects them. This narrow bridge of land is home to important breeding colonies of both short-tailed shearwater and fairy penguins.
In fact, the island supports a huge array of bird life, some of it endangered, and it is classified as an ‘Important Bird Area’. Notable local residents include the forty-spotted pardalote, the swift parrot, the beautiful firetail and the Tasmanian azure kingfisher.
South Bruny National Park offers a fantastic variety of walking options. We’ll walk along the white sands of Cloud Beach, hike to the top of the spectacular Fluted Capes, check out the dolerite rock formations of the Miles Beach, and walk past inland lagoons teeming with birdlife.
On the 15-kilometre Labillardiere Peninsula circuit, we’ll walk through coastal heath, climb Mt Bleak and wander along curving Hopwood Beach. This trail is challenging but rewarding, with stunning views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to keep us going.
Our accommodation for this tour is a highlight. We’ll stay in a fabulous sprawling timber lodge that sits on 860 acres of bushland with private access to kilometres of pristine Bruny coastline. If you have energy left after your day of hiking, you can spend time exploring the property – or simply sit by the outdoor fire pit and take in the glorious water views. The lodge itself is equipped with huge living and dining areas, complete with open fire, pool table and comfortable couches.
Think of this Bruny Island tour as a wilderness hiking retreat, where you’ll be surrounded by the calm and quiet of nature 24/7. It’s a special place to visit and you’ll love every minute.
Park Trek’s 4-day Bruny Island walking tour
Inclusions: all transport ex Hobart, accommodation, most meals and snacks, two walking guides.
Departs:November and December 2019
Group size: a maximum of 10
Price: from $2150 per person twin share.
